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FEBRUARY 4, 2016
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VOLUME 90 • ISSUE 13
Professor receives Engineering Faculty Professionalism Award KERRY WAGUESPACK Staff Reporter | kfw005@latech.edu
Photo by Jonathan Shaul
C.J. Pernici, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, works on the team’s Eco-Car for a competition held in Detroit April 22-24.
Students present new Eco-Car Tech’s Eco-Car team prepares for the 10th Shell Eco-Marathon Americas CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter | csd020@ latech.edu
Theriot said the team is taking steps to improve the functionality of this year’s car. “We’re definitely paying more attention to how we’re laying Entering its ninth year of competition for Louisiana Tech our carbon fiber this year,” he said. “We’re doing it in smaller students in the Shell Eco-Marathon, the Tech Eco-Car team is pieces, so we’re using less fiber overall, bringing down the overall working to make the university a well-known name in the indus- weight of the vehicle.” Heath Tims is the faculty adviser for the Eco-Car team. try. He said he is pleased with the student leadership on this “We’re kind of Shell’s poster child,” said Xavier Theriot, a senior mechanical engineering major. “Shell sends us to lots year’s team. “They invest their heart and soul into this work,” of events. We’ve had some of our graduates go Tims said. “It’s exciting to see what they come up to Australia and Paris and see cars there that the “They invest with.” graduates helped build.” Tims said the team emphasizes the look of its Tech’s team has begun production on its latest their heart and vehicles in addition to functionality. diesel-powered model in preparation for the 10th soul into this “We push the limits of what’s been done, both annual Shell Eco-Marathon Americas, taking place work. It’s excitfrom a technical aspect and in terms of aesthetics,” April 22-24 in Detroit. said Tims, assistant dean of the College of EngiTheriot, a three-year team member, led the con- ing to see what neering and Sciences. “Our cars are well-known for struction of last year’s entry. they come up their visual appeal.” Last year the Eco-Car team submitted two veTims said the team submits only Urban Concept hicles: Diesel Dawg, which achieved 339 mpg and with.” designs, which require the cars to meet street legalwon second place in its category, and CHAMP, the HEATH TIMS ity standards, because the team wants to combine first car powered by compressed natural gas to ever assistant dean of the style with effectiveness. pass inspection at the competition. College of Engineering “A lot of the comforts society is used to take Theriot said in addition to bringing notoriety to and Sciences away from fuel efficiency,” he said. “That’s why we Tech, another long-term goal of the team is to help work so hard to marry aesthetics with functionality. transform the way people think about how they If we can make something efficient that’s also appealing to a drive. “It’s about changing public opinion,” he said. “The common buyer, then that’s the perfect trade off.” person on the road needs to see the younger generation building cars that look good and function well.” > see ECO-CAR page 6
A Louisiana Tech engineering professor recently received the 2016 Engineering Faculty Professionalism Award from the Louisiana Engineering Foundation for leadership in helping develop online options for engineers seeking graduate degrees. The award was presented to Beth Hegab at the 20th Joint Engineering Societies Conference held recently in Lafayette. Hegab is program coordinator of engineering and technology management in the College of Engineering. The Louisiana Engineering Foundation established the award in an effort to promote faculty members to help students pursue their license. The Louisiana Engineering Foundation is an arm of the Louisiana Engineering Society based in Baton Rouge. “I was extremely honored and surprised when I found out I was selected by the committee to Receive the award,” said Hegab, lecturer in industrial engineering. Hegab said to receive the award the faculty member needed to have their license in professional engineering, which is something most faculty members do not have. She said being chosen by the committee was seen as a huge achievement at the state level. “I always strived to be the best when it comes to my professional carer, “ she said. “After 12 years of dedication to my job, I was recognized for my hard work and efforts in bringing back our biggest masters’ program. She said one criterion for being nominated was to encourage students to obtain their P.E. license after they graduate.
> see HEGAB page 6
Fine Line Art Supply hosts Drink and Draw KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter | klb072@latech.edu Being able to draw with a drink in hand could be peaceful alone, but with others it could be a fun and memorable experience. Ryan Lord, a Louisiana Tech alumnus, hosted the Drink and Draw event, which was held at Fine Line Supply, Co., in downtown Ruston. Lord said this has been the fifth event they have hosted and it is usually bimonthly or quarterly. “The Drink and Draw idea started in Los Angeles, and there’s also one in New Orleans,” Lord said. “We didn’t have one in Ruston, so I thought it would be a good idea to start one here.”
> see FINE LINE page 6
NEWS
2 • The Tech Talk • February 4, 2016
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Union Board presents magician Mike Super PRINCESS WARREN Staff Reporter | pcw005@ latech.edu Magician Mike Super brought a magical experience to Louisiana Tech as he wowed the crowd with different illusions. Super showcased his talent Jan. 26 in the Tonk and the event was put together by Union Board. Super said he started magic when he saw a magician at Disney World when he was only 6 years old. The man doing tricks at the amusement park piqued his interest and he has loved magic ever since. "I went to college for computer science, but I was already touring, and I was making more in magic than I was in computer science so I had to follow my passion, which was great," Super said. Super has toured the United States and Canada doing magic and was also the winner of the show “Phenomenon.” Super said life as a magician is interesting because he gets invited to many events but usually not as a guest, but mostly as an entertainer. "With music, they want to hear all the old stuff they know; with magic it's always something new, so I'm always trying to create new stuff," Super said. He also said he hopes his show can just rejuvenate people and show them a good time with his tricks. "Here's my hope: I don't know if this is the case, but my hope is that whether you're in school struggling with grades, or having
Magician Mike Super burns a cloth voodoo doll an attempt to make his student participant feel the touch and heat. a bad day that even if it's only for an hour, they can forget their problems and everyone can bond together by being amazed," Super said. Super said his job is to make sure his audience had a good time. He knows he has accomplished his job when sometimes people will tell him after a show how they
have not seen their friend or family member joyful in a while or as joyful as during his show. Super has won many awards for his talent such as Entertainer of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine along with Best Male Entertainer and Best Performing Artist. Lauren Telano, a junior biology
major, said she thinks events like the magic show bring people together, give students a break from school and something different to do. "I thought it was very cool, but kinda freaky," Telano said. She also said she enjoyed herself and events like the magic show should keep happening.
Photos by Jonathan Shaul
Seong Park, a senior accounting major, said the magic show was crazy and with Super being on “America's Got Talent” helped bring more attention to the show, which made the event successful. "I thought it was awesome, it blew my mind. I've never seen that kind of magic show before," Park said.
Nursing career fair creates opportunities KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter | klb072@ latech.edu
Photos by Ashley Kober
Above: Students visit health center booths to get information about their business. Right: The WillisKnighton Health System booth was decorated with Mardi Gras theme.
The Student Nursing Association (SNA) hosted its career fair Jan. 26 in the upstairs student center. Each year, SNA hosts its career fair in January and is separate from the counseling center career fairs open to all students. Paige Williams was in charge of planning everything for the fair. “This career fair takes all year to plan for,” said Williams, a senior nursing major and SNA’s vice president. She said it takes time to get the many vendors to agree to participate in the fair. Williams said at the beginning of the school year, SNA sent emails to all vendors who participated in the previous years and try to invite new organizations from farther locations. “We usually get higher-ups from different companies in areas such as Ruston, Monroe, Grand Canyon, Baton Rouge and South Arkansas,” Williams said. She said last year the event had 14 vendors attend the career fair and this year it was 17. With the increase in vendors, Williams said it allowed the nursing students to get different views from the representatives and a variety of companies they could possibly choose from after they graduate. Jessica Pride, a senior nursing major, said it was her first year to attend the nursing career fair.
“I think this career fair is good because it gives us a lot of information that we do not get to see every day,” said Pride, a senior nursing major. “It opens our eyes to the opportunities in this area.” She said the fair included not only places that were hiring, but recruiting medical schools aswell. Pride said she was glad to have gone to the career fair. She said she would have still attended the fair, even if it was not mandatory. “The dean made it mandatory for all nursing students to attend this career fair,” Williams said. Which helped with event participation. Erika Craft was in charge of helping organize events, meetings and being on one of the student boards for their department. “This year we have more than 120 students at the fair, and it has been increasing over the years,” said Craft, a senior nursing major and SNA’s president. She said SNA has been really focused on recruiting, which has resulted in membership growth. She also said having more members and vendors require more space, and being separated is a good way to give the nursing students a chance to talk with prospective employers. “I think having our career fair separate from the others makes it a little bit more individualized,” Craft said. “It’s great for nursing students because now they can have a oneon-one conversation at each table.”
UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
• Women’s tennis v. Northwestern State at 1 p.m.
• no scheduled events
• no scheduled events
• Mardi Gras Holiday begins
• I-20 Corridor Regional Accelerator at 5:30 p.m.
•University re-opens, no scheduled classes
•Men’s basketball v. Middle Tennessee State. at 8 p.m. • Mardi Gras holiday ends. Classes resume at 8 a.m.
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February 4, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 3
LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
MASTER PLAN 2020 Architect’s rendering of the IESE from the corner of Dan Reneau and Homer Streets.
INTRODUCING THE INTEGRATED ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE EDUCATION BUILDING
View of the IESE from Dan Reneau Drive downtown
View of the IESE from the corner of Texas and Oil Mill streets
STORY | PAYTON POTTER • DESIGN | ELLIE MOSLANDER
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hat students now see as a gravel parking lot will soon evolve into the largest academic building Louisiana Tech’s campus has ever known. This structure, known as the Integrated Engineering and Science Education building (IESE), is expected to begin its ascent in April, university President Les Guice said. He said the 130,000-square-foot, three-story IESE building will be a structure with permanence. “We challenged the architects to do something special in the design,” Guice said, “to create a building that, 50 years from now when people are looking back, they’ll say, ‘Wow. That’s an impressive facility.’” Ronnie Huckaby Jr., a junior mechanical engineering student, said he thinks the IESE will create a friendlier space for students to study and interact. “I think I would have been more inclined to stay in the building and study,” Huckaby said. “I kind of wish that I would have had that when I was coming up. Maybe it will make more of the freshmen engineers meet new people.” Hisham Hegab, dean of the College of Engineering and Science, said the IESE is designed to better accommodate project-based learning. “That type of activity generally takes up a lot more space than maybe a traditional lecture type scenario,” Hegab said. “We’ve renovated a few spaces in Bogard Hall to accommodate for our freshman engineering curriculum, but we needed more facilities, more space, to accommodate that type of curriculum.” Hegab said the IESE will have versatile classrooms that can serve a variety of purposes. “There will be good-sized rooms that have tables that can be rearranged,” he said. “A lot of the rooms have power available to them from the ceiling. The main thing we kept in mind in the design of a lot of the classrooms is trying to make sure that they are going to be flexible for the long-term.” Huckaby said the design of the flexible classrooms will improve engineering education.
“They have done a very good job of trying to make integrated classrooms,” he said. “To where it is very easy to teach, very easy to learn.” Hegab said the IESE building will come complete with a student help desk. “Because we are doing all this project-based learning, there’s going to be a student help desk or achievement center,” Hegab said. “It’s going to provide students access to parts and kits and things that they need for their courses, as well as access to some of the prototype equipment that can help supplement what they do in class.” In addition to flexible classrooms, Hegab said the engineering building will feature a glass atrium with a spiral staircase. The atrium is expected to serve as a gathering space for up to 1,000 people.
“WE CHALLENGED ARCHITECTS TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE DESIGN, TO CREATE A BUILDING THAT 50 YEARS FROM NOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOOKING BACK, THEY’LL SAY, ‘WOW THAT’S AN IMPRESSIVE FACILITY.’ ” – LES GUICE “One of the attractions for us in particular is that we want to have a large space in the building to be able to have events in,” Hegab said. According to the campus master plan, the upcoming IESE building will, along with existing Bogard, Nethken and Carson Taylor halls, solidify the eastern area of campus as the science and engineering district. Next week part four of the series will outline developmental plans for a new “Tech Green” initiative, an effort to make campus more pedestrian and environmentally friendly.
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4 • The Tech Talk • February 4, 2016
The
TechTalk
FROM THE EDITOR
MANAGEMENT
Glorifying what’s ugly
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Ellie Moslander
MANAGING EDITOR
ELLIE MOSLANDER Editor-In-Chief | emo012@latech.edu
Rachel Maxwell
NEWS EDITOR
Frededreia Willis
FEATURE EDITOR John Sadler
SPORTS EDITOR
Matthew Valcho
PHOTO EDITOR
Brian Blakely
PHOTOGRAPHERS Colin Fontenot Devin Dronett Ashley Kober Avery Bryan
ADVERTISING MANAGER Taylor Loftin
ADVISERS
T. Scott Boatright Dr. Reginald Owens Dr. Judith Roberts
ADVERTISING ADVISER Michael LeBlanc
PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael LeBlanc
ADVERTISING PRODUCTION
T
here are certain social stigmas our society is severely confused about. We emphasize what we perceive to be beautiful and sexy, when in reality, the definition of beauty is unique to each individual. So who are we to say one thing is beautiful and another is not? A flawless photoshopped woman in a bra is considered sexy, but modestly and comfortably covered up or seen in a raw, natural makeupless form is not? This is a misleading expectation we can’t achieve. We glorify vanity. There is a large difference between encouraging a healthy self-esteem and pushing egotism. Magazine covers, social media and TV shows all encourage people
to look amazing, or how they would define it. But the beauty industry is pushing the limits. Their standards are impossible to fully reach, as it would seem in a perfect world where everyone is supposed to resemble super models. We idolize outer beauty instead of supporting good character and positive inward attributes. No names, just faces. Appearances are a big deal; as humans ,they are pretty much the first thing we notice. But after the initial interaction, we begin to get to know their character. The character will always make a stronger, lasting impression always in the end. We can always still appreciate positive physical features, but no one should be cast aside due to appearances. A woman is looked down on for not wearing makeup a certain way,
or even at all. Why is going natural seen as unprofessional? As long as you maintain a professional appearance and good hygiene for a job, a woman shouldn’t be looked down on if she feels she has no need to wear makeup. No wonder everyone is so uncomfortable to feel free in his or her own skin. We are always pushed to be something we naturally are not meant to be- superficial. Being superficial takes away from beautiful, natural, human attributes and downgrades us into plastic stencils. Unrest exists in the world because of the unacceptance for who people are in all forms, and this truly breaks my heart. Ellie Moslander is a senior journalism major from Albuquerque who serves as editor-in-chief for The Tech Talk.
Michael LeBlanc
RACHEL’S RAMBLINGS
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Dear fellow white people
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The Tech Talk welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address and classification or title. We will not print the telephone number. Viewpoints should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 138 Keeny Hall, by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publi cation. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. Emails should be sent to techtalk@latech.edu. You can also submit letters online at www.thetechtalk.org/home/ lettertotheeditor/. Louisiana Tech University is com mitted to the principle of provid ing the opportunity for learning and development of all qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status for admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the University sponsors or operates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http://www.latech. edu/administration/policiesand procedures/1445.shtml.
RACHEL MAXWELL Managing Editor | ram049@latech.edu
A
lright, white people, let’s talk. It’s Black History Month, and I have already seen a handful of posts circulating social media lamenting it, saying that it’s racist and people would be up in arms if we had a white history month and blah blah blah. Of course we don’t have a white history month; we don’t need one, because we have never been marginalized. Check your privilege before you decide recognizing that a group was and is marginalized is a personal affront to you. I notice some of the people I know expressing distaste for BHM are the same people who have said that racism is not really a problem anymore. First of all, I do not understand how any white person living in the United States of America, particularly the South, could say that racism is not prevalent today. Of course we don’t experience it in the
same way people of color do, or the way it was 50 years ago, but its is integrated into every part of our lives just the same. Every white girl has heard her friends call some other girl trashy for dating black guys, and every white guy has heard his friends spew racist jokes. I know a person who was dumped by her boyfriend because he found out that years earlier she had hooked up with a black guy, and I once had a guy I was dating tell me he was sick to his stomach because he found out I had once kissed a black man. Any person who works in the service industry has heard the slurs in the back, because when a black person doesn’t tip well, it is automatically because they are black; but if a white person leaves a crappy tip, it’s just because they’re a jerk. We have all heard older relatives openly make racist remarks, and we have all heard our peers make similar remarks in a hushed tone af-
ter looking over their shoulders. The fact that white people do not even classify these events as something out of the ordinary or racist is a glaring illustration of how ingrained in our culture these prejudices are. Here’s a Black History Month assignment, fellow white people: pay attention for the next few weeks. See how many times you catch the people around you, or even yourself, making comments that would never be made in front of black people. Then try to tell me racism isn’t a problem, and that the past is in the past, and that there is any remote reason BHM is unfair to you. This column may sound divisive, but ignoring the issues and “moving on” is not the answer; it just makes those perpetuating systemic racism less aware that they are doing so. Rachel Maxwell is a sophomore journalism major from Benton who serves as managing editor for The Tech Talk.
BACK ON THE SADLER
Why care about Westerns? JOHN SADLER Features Editor | jts040@latech.edu
I
n American film, the Western as a genre has probably had the most impact on the America consciousness. Rivaled perhaps only by gangster flicks, Westerns created both schoolyard games and a popular American mythos. They inspired filmmakers from Scorcese to Tarantino. They eventually stretched overseas into the Mediterranean where popular “spaghetti westerns” were filmed. Whatever impact the genre has had, however, it has to be done. There can’t be any more to be said in such a constrained setting, right? Wrong. The Western isn’t dead. Films like “The Revenant” and “The Hateful Eight” have pulled in big name directors and actors over the past year, with multiple Academy Award nominations.
Western films that have a legitimate claim to being the ultimate representation of the genre, such as “The Searchers” and “Unforgiven” have made their mark but, ultimately, been unable to conclude the genre in a satisfactory way. There’s just too much to be told. While the beginnings of the genre focused on a golden man, a knight of the frontier who was always white and always morally pure, later efforts have looked at the lawlessness, rampant racism and sociopathic levels of slaughter that plagued the frontier. It’s almost more interesting to see Hollywood deconstruct a myth as it is to watch them create one. Recent films have new things to say about the West. In 2012, “Django Unchained” changed the stereotypical revenge tale to one of an ex-slave and his wife’s current master. In 2014, “The Homes-
man” looked at the status of the mentally ill in the frontier. In 2005, “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada” was a borderline magical realist tale of a modern cowboy avenging his friends death by making his murderer pay penance (If you haven’t seen this, I highly recommend it). I have heard many people decry Westerns over their perceived redundancies. It is easy to fall into the trap of seeing these movies as nothing more than the good guy shooting the bad guy to get the girl. In truth, these tropes haven’t been standard since the relative birth of the genre. This is a genre that forged the first true American mythos. Don’t overlook it. John Sadler is a senior English and journalism major from Extension who serves as features editor for The Tech Talk.
Are the Oscars too white? W
hen he Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for the 2016 Academy Awards, they were met with a massive outcry from those concerned about the lack of minority nominees. So much so that movie fans and those against the nominations have called for 2016 host Chris Rock to protest the show along with countless celebrities who have been invited to attend and have said they will protest, including film power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. The question has been asked: Are the Oscars too white? The answer is absolutely. The Oscars should be diversified a bit more than it has been in recent years. The 2015 Academy that voted on last year’s awards featured 6,028 voting members; 94 percent of them were white, 77 percent were men and 86 percent were over the age of 50. A number of Academy members have anonymously interviewed with news outlets calling the allegations of racism total nonsense. Their voting habits year in and year out make it hard to believe them. Last year, there was not a single actor or actress of color nominated for any acting category, lead or supporting. This included David Oyelowo, the actor who portrayed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in “Selma,” who was a pre-nomination favorite to win best male lead. In the past five years, only two black actors, Denzel Washington for “Flight” and Chiwetel Ejiofor for “12 Years a Slave,” have been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. It is the same for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Viola Davis for “The Help” and Quvenzhané Wallis for “Beasts of the Southern Wild” were the only two black actresses nominated in the same time period. None of them won. Supporting Actor has been just as bad with Barkhad Abdi for “Captain Phillips” being the only minority nominated in that category in the past five years. Supporting actress has fared better though. Octavia Spencer and Lupita Nyong’o won Best Supporting Actress for their parts in “The Help” and “12 Years a Slave,” respectively. That still isn’t enough to change the minds of those who see the Academy as biased. But it can be argued that the issue is not with the Academy, rather with the movies themselves. Let’s say that there is bias in the Academy and they favor white actors and actresses. If a rule was put in place that required the nomination of a minority actor or actress, what good does it do to nominate them because they have to? They would almost assuredly lose. Maybe there were not enough great performances from actors and actresses that are not white that came out in the time period the Academy looks at. That would be on Hollywood. Either way, change needs to happen. Unfortunately, that may not come as fast as many may hope. It would possibly require a total overhaul of the Academy and its members. As a new generation enters the Academy and the old members leave, so should the favoritism and lack of diversity.
February 4, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 5
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ON OUR
RADAR PARADES
HERE ARE SOME UPCOMING MARDI GRAS PARADES AROUND LOUISIANA
Photo courtesy of Fox
‘GREASE: LIVE’ RACHEL MAXWELL Managing Editor | ram049@ latech.edu
Fox’s production of “Grease: Live” was not what I expected. At times, that was a good thing, and others, not so much. While the show offered refreshing updates that were fun but still nostalgic, it was also seriously lacking between musical numbers, and, with its extensive cinematic tricks, felt like it was more theater-themed than a true stage production. Do not get me wrong, “Grease: Live” was entertaining. Appearances by Boys II Men and “Grease” alumni Didi Conn and Barry Pearl were fun. Aside from a just-okay solo number from Carly Rae Jep-
sen as Frenchie, the singing was great, and Zach Woodlee’s choreography brought new energy to unforgettable dance moves from the 1978 film. Between the larger-than-life musical numbers is where the show fell flat. Only about one in every 10 jokes landed, and even those that did were lukewarm at best. The worst of the dialogue (every exchange between Elle McLemore’s Patty Simcox and Noah Robbins as Eugene Felsnic) was downright hard to watch. The biggest disappointment of the show was, to my surprise, Aaron Tveit’s portrayal of Danny Zuko. I was thrilled when I saw him on the cast list, but he seemed much too severe for the role and failed to capture Zuko’s dopey charm. Tveit ranged from too serious to what felt like a corny Travolta impression, the first dull and the latter cringe-worthy. Luckily for him, the whole show sagged during dia-
logue scenes, not just him, and his vocal and dance talent was some of the best of the bunch. I was initially disappointed to hear that Julliane Hough and Vanessa Hudgens would be playing Sandy and Rizzo, but they both held their own, as did Jepsen and Keke Palmer as Marty. The women in the show shined brightest during musical numbers, from Jessie J opening the show with an energized rendition of the title track to Palmer’s chill-bump inducing rendition of “Freddy My Love” as Marty. The boys had great musical moments, too (the best being Jordan Fisher’s performance of “Those Magic Changes”), but the girls can be credited with carrying the show through the unforgiving dialogue and awkward jokes. While the show had its flaws, it was a fun use of two hours, and I’ve been listening to the new sound track since I watched it.
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SPANISH TOWN BATON ROUGE THE CITY’S LARGEST MARDI GRAS PARADE IS KNOWN FOR ITS PINK FLAMINGOS AND RACY CELEBRATION
KREWESHREVEPORT OF HIGHLAND THE KREWE CHOSE “THE ROCKY HIGHLAND PICTURE SHOW” AS THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S FESTITIVIES
TECH PRESENTS ‘SLEEPING BEAUTY’ PRINCESS WARREN Staff Reporter | pcw005@latech.edu
The Louisiana Tech theatre department latest production promised audience members would have a “magical” time. “Sleeping Beauty” opened Jan 26 and ran through Jan. 31 in Howard auditorium. Cameron Harmeyer, a freshman computer science major who played a henchman, said the play has the children’s story for the kids, but it also has a few extra aspects to reach adults that may surprise the audience. “I feel like those who come see will very much enjoy, it’s fun for all ages,” Harmeyer said. He said he thinks the students will love the show, especially for the humor. “For the students you’re going to get some innuendo and it’s going to pretty funny,” Harmeyer said. He said when doing the show he was a little nervous but it was so great waiting for his first entrance to come, and it was relieving and accomplishing to be done and get ready for the next scene. He also said the theatre department’s production of Sleeping Beauty is more based on the traditional fairy tale than the 1959 Disney film. Olivia Willcox, a sophomore theatre major who plays a fairy, said the cast put in long hours in making the production come together and that during the long hours the cast
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KREWE OF PROTEUS NEW ORLEANS THE SECOND OLDEST KREWE IN CARNIVAL HISTORY, THE PARADE INCORPORATES EGYPTIAN HISTORY
Photo by Ashley Kober
Prince Charming, played by Johnny Marley, goes in to kiss Princess Aurora, played by Emmie Lancon.
became close which helped make a better play. “Since we allowed the community to come in, we’ve also met people through there and of course all the little kids, they’ve been a blast to work with,” Willcox said. She said the kids of the community would make crafts for the cast which made the play even more fun. She also said the audience can expect an entertaining night full of laughs. “I think it will definitely bring laughter because even though it’s a children’s show, it has a lot of our age’s humor,” Willcox said. Willcox said she and her cast
mates have heard the jokes several times and still laugh. “I thought it was great, especially being that it was at Tech and not a big theater or anything; they really put on a show,” Nia Johnson, a graduate student accounting major, said. Johnson said she has not attended many productions at Tech, but from what she has seen this may be one of the best ones. She said she enjoyed herself and may come back another night with a friend to see the play again. “It was actually comical, I thought it would be more of a Disney type of production but it was nice and professional,” Johnson said.
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KREWE OF REX NEW ORLEANS REX IS A PROMINENT KREWE THAT STICKS TO TRADITIONAL FESTIVITIES
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6 • The Tech Talk • February 4, 2016
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net
Aries March 21 – April 19 Are you in love, Aries? You might find that thoughts of your beloved haunt you today, even while you’re apart. Desire and passion could be practically obsessive, and they’ll interfere with your other projects if you aren’t careful. Try to stay focused on the tasks at hand and make a date to get together with your partner later. After all, you want to keep all departments of your life in their proper perspective! Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 A picture of an art object from a different culture could arouse some strange feelings in you, Taurus. You won’t know why, but it will spark a new interest in that culture. This probably relates to events deep in your past that you don’t remember. Go ahead and explore this new interest. It will be intriguing and at the same time could help you release old traumas or phobias. Enjoy! Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Are you worried about the psychological and emotional state of a friend, Gemini? Don’t get yourself too worked up over it. Your friend is probably more troubled about money than anything else. If this is your love partner, you should be especially careful not to push for confidences, as this could be a turn-off. Your beloved will talk to you when the time is right. In the meantime, be patient and a good listener. Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Your current love interest could be experiencing some family problems, Cancer. Therefore, don’t expect too much scintillating conversation this evening. Your partner may seem preoccupied and not be in the best of moods. Rest assured that this has nothing to do with you. Don’t let your insecurities get the best of you. Don’t demand an explanation. Be there, even if it means being silent, and let your partner think things out. This is tactful and will certainly be appreciated. Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Is someone you know having a birthday, Leo? If so, beware of all the great food that will undoubtedly be brought to the party! If you’re trying to improve your level of health and fitness, you’ll be sorely tempted to depart from the program. Be as firm as you can, but remember that we all need a little indulgence occasionally. Chocolate cake and ice cream might not be on your diet, but think of them as emotional health food. Enjoy a little bit! Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Are you into abstract art forms, Virgo? Today you could find yourself irresistibly drawn to them, whether blank verse, abstract painting, or New Age music. If you’re into the arts yourself, you might want to try your hand at whatever discipline appeals to you the most. If you aren’t, attend a concert, stroll through an art gallery, or go to a
poetry reading. Whatever you do, enjoy your day! Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Have you been toying with the idea of redecorating your house, Libra? If so, you might actually come up with a few solid ideas, although you’ll have a difficult time deciding among them. Sometimes making a list can help you work out the details of each and discern which is the most workable at this time. Look at home decorating magazines and furniture catalogs. Write down what appeals to you. You’ll decide something. What fun! Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Emotions run high today as a love partner calls on you to discuss some troubles, Scorpio. These don’t directly concern you, but you’d still like to see them straightened out, as you tend to feel helpless when someone you care for is upset. At times like this, it’s really best to listen rather than try to give advice. Your partner probably just needs to talk it out. Be patient and all will be well. Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 A close friend or your love partner may present you with a gift, Sagittarius. You’ll be touched but you’ll also feel uncomfortable. Maybe the present is costly or not something you really like. You might also feel that your friend is too eager. What you do in this situation is, of course, up to you. Tip: don’t refuse the gift unless you genuinely feel it’s totally inappropriate. And definitely don’t give it back because that’s what your mother would do! Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Love matters may seem to be far worse than they really are, Capricorn. Emotion runs high as your current love interest seems preoccupied and uncommunicative; however, it wouldn’t be a good idea to let your insecurities get the best of you and lash out. Your partner’s heart is with you, though the mind is another matter. Family or career problems are getting in the way of your enjoyment of each other. Bite your tongue, be patient, and hang in there. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Is your imagination brimming over with ideas for new projects, Aquarius? Are you drawing upon old memories for inspiration? Your past can be a very fruitful resource; however, today you may find that some of these recollections make you feel more emotional than you should. Let them all go. This is a necessary release. Channeling your feelings into creative work could prove cathartic. By the end of the day you should feel great. Go with the flow.
CROSSWORDPUZZLE 66. Swank
Across 1. Tombstone name 5. Starch used in puddings 9. ___- Japanese War 13. Lure 15. Former Russian ruler 16. Alka. Seltzer sound 17. Pontificate 18. 90 degrees from norte 19. Ethereal: Prefix 20. Cal. pages 21. Senate position 23. Sullage 25. Stern’s opposite 26. Batter’s position 27. Sharply 30. Occupational suffix 31. Reduce gradually 32. Proves beyond doubt 37. Get one’s ducks in ___ 38. Flora and fauna 40. Kiln for drying hops 41. Female ballet member 43. Persona non ___ 44. French pronoun 45. Krypton, for one 47. Bugs 50. Zeno’s home 51. Richards of “Jurassic Park” 52. “Cast Away” setting 53. Hit the slopes 56. Campus mil. group 57. Words of denial 59. Legal right 61. From the U.S. 62. Thick- soled shoe 63. Shouts 64. Exposed 65. Aggregate of fibers
Down 1. Biblical land 2. Dynamic opening? 3. Some DVD players 4. Cooking container 5. Passionate 6. Type of D.A. 7. Gangster’s gun 8. Aeschylus trilogy 9. Give rise to 10. Pertaining to the small intestine 11. Norwegian name of Norway 12. Mayberry lad 14. Past prefix 22. Moray 24. Bring home the bacon 25. Crockpot concoctions 26. River sediment 27. Not very much 28. Irene of “Fame” 29. Knowledgeable about 32. Runner Sebastian 33. Chick of jazz 34. Dutch name of The Hague 35. Como ___ usted? 36. RR stops 38. Power to float 39. Wife of Osiris 42. Prince William’s school 43. Avaricious 45. Yield 46. 100% 47. Fragrance 48. Fertilizer ingredient 49. Mother of pearl 51. Show horse
DAILY U
52. Like ___ not 53. Recital piece 54. Brick baker 55. ___-bitsy 58. Slangy suffix 60. Like Gen. Schwarzkopf
LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION
Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu
Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Are you suddenly falling for an old friend, Pisces? This may have you confused and a little frightened since you’ve never viewed this person in this way before. However, this person probably does reciprocate the attraction, so don’t completely write it off. Consider this: could this person be a strong part of your future? How well do you know each other? Do you respect this person the way you should? If the answers to these questions are positive, give it a try!
WEEKLYWEATHER
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TODAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
HIGH 54 LOW 25
HIGH 56 LOW 30
HIGH 54 LOW 31
HIGH 60 LOW 39
HIGH 54 LOW 32
HIGH 50 LOW 23
HIGH 43 LOW 34
ECO-CAR from pg. 1
Scott Wilson said working on the Eco-Cars gives him a chance to apply the concepts he learns in class. “Last year I learned how to use the milling machines and the lathe, but on the Eco-Car we actually get to do something practical with them,”said Wilson,a sophomore mechanical engineering major. “I’ve only been on the team for three weeks, and I feel like I already have a leg up on my classmates.” Wilson said that rather than adding to his stress Eco-Car work helps relieve it. “If I’m bogged down with homework, I just want to come do some physical activity,” he said. “Getting up to my elbows in grit helps channel the stress.” Last December, Shell sent Theriot and another Eco-Car member to Detroit to tour the Chrysler headquarters and a Ford research and development facility. Theriot said he was encouraged by the advancements he saw. “The industry is steadily making progress toward being more eco-friendly,” he said. “In our lifetime, we’ll see some pretty amazing vehicles in our garages.”
SUDOKUPUZZLE Difficulty MEDIUM
LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.
HEGAB from pg. 1
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“When I teach undergraduate students one thing that I talk about to all of my students is that they consider getting their license,” Hegab said “Even if they want to be a teacher because they do not know which way their career will go.” Stan Cronk is on the committee who chose Hegab to receive the award. He said the first thing the committee looked at when trying to select a recipient is how a professional nominee conducts himself or herself in the classroom. “A big reason we chose Hegab was her work with the masters’ program in engineering and technology management,” said Cronk, a senior lecturer in industrial engineering, A few years ago the program was on the brink of being cut from the university he said, Hegab took the lead on it, and it is now the largest masters’ program the college offers. “She was tasked with finding ways to boost enrollment, and it led to the program being the first online program, which got a great response from the students,” Cronk said.
He said he has thought of having a Drink and Draw in Monroe and other parts of Northeast Louisiana. Lord said the event will give people the opportunity to meet new people. “I feel like I made connections with people who I have never known before,” Lord said. He said the event is meant for the community because he knows how difficult it is to find people with similar art interests. Lord said he felt frustrated that nothing in the Ruston area was necessarily good when it dealt with artistic things. He said events in Ruston are tough because some people like events going on, but do not participate in them and in return the events are discontinued. Henry McCoy, owner and operator of Fine Line Supply, Co. and his wife, Amanda, said they opened the
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FINE LINE from pg. 1 store because they knew there was a need for it and it was also a good reason to return to Ruston. “We opened Fine Line Supply around the time Barnes and Nobles bought the bookstore,” McCoy said. “(Art supplies) really [were not] their thing so we knew there was a need for a place such as ours.” He said Tech’s bookstore does not carry or sale supplies necessary for any kind of art major. McCoy said they would work with teachers and keep the store stocked with items on class supply lists so students do not have to travel far to get what they need. “We get a lot of students who readily thank us for being so available to them,” McCoy said. He said students appreciate them for having the supplies they need and the convenience so they would not have to travel to either Monroe or Shreveport to buy supplies.
February 4, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 7
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More Talk
Charles and Sandra Hart were crowned king and queen of the ball.
RUSTON LETS THE GOOD TIMES ROLL The North Central Louisiana Arts Council holds the annual Krewe of Allegro Mardi Gras Ball PAYTON POTTER Staff reporter | jpp017@latech.edu The Ruston Civic Center was transformed Saturday into a flurry of purple and green and art lovers dressed in old Hollywood fashion. The Krewe of Allegro Mardi Gras Ball, an annual fundraiser for the Dixie Center for the Arts, celebrated its 17th year in Ruston. “When you say ‘The Dixie,’ there are several affiliates that fall under that umbrella,” said Angie Biscomb, an employee and community engagement officer at Bank of Ruston and a North Central Louisiana Arts Council (NCLAC) board member. She said the ball supports more than just the Dixie Theatre. “There’s the Dixie, there’s NCLAC, there’s the Ruston Community Theatre, there’s Troupe Dixie, which is a younger group and the Ruston Symphony still falls under that umbrella. The ball benefits all of those,”she said Biscomb said Bank of Ruston helps fund the Mardi Gras ball. “We are the title sponsor this year,” she said. “Primarily, we just make a donation to the event. To put on an event like this is very costly. We seek sponsors to help, and, in return, we give them some publicity or notoriety as being part of the event.” Susan Roach, director of Tech’s School of Literature and Language, is heavily involved with NCLAC. “I am one of the founding members of NCLAC,” Roach said. “I was the first president in 1989. I have been involved with NCLAC since its inception, and I continue to serve on their board.” She said she tries to help the organization whenever possible. “One of the things that I have done since we started working with the other arts agencies that hold that event is that I have helped with the silent auction,” Roach said. Libby English, a part-time volunteer at the Dixie Center for the Arts, said the ticket revenue from the Mardi Gras ball aids in maintaining its historic building. “It is our major fundraiser for the year,”
she said. “The net proceeds will go into our sustaining-building fund. When you try to sustain a 1928 building, it takes some funds to keep the doors open.” English said another way the Dixie Center for the Arts raises funds is by raffling off baskets of adult beverages estimated at a value of $150 each. “The Arts Council — this is a fundraiser for them as well — has a lovely silent auction in conjunction with the Mardi Gras Ball each year,” she said. “We will raffle off some baskets of spirits and beer and wine.” Celia Lewis, a professor of English who attended the ball, said she likes the culture that the ball brings to Ruston. “I thought it was wonderful,”said Lewis “I very much like this tradition. I’m not originally from Louisiana. I really appreciate the cultural excitement that surrounds Mardi Gras. Becoming aware of, and being able to experience this long tradition is one of the advantages of living in this area.” Biscomb said she encourages students to get involved in Ruston’s art-based organizations. “As time goes, the older ones play out and we want to keep that new generation coming and being a part of the arts and being a part of the Dixie,” she said. “Even if they just get involved by buying a ticket and coming to the Mardi Gras Ball, they may find that it’s something that they want to get more involved in.” Biscomb said the event was catered by local cook Linda Peevy and entertainment was provided by Greenville, Mississippibased band The Krackerjacks. English said the event grossed approximately $30,000 for the Dixie Center for the Arts, and Roach said the silent auction raised approximately $8,000 to fund NCLAC. “Needless to say, we’re quite thankful,” English said. “We appreciate everyone who came and contributed in whatever way; as sponsors, as patrons, as the folks who helped us with the varioius things it takes to put on something like this. We would like to say thank you to everyone who made this 17th annual ball a success.”
Middle: Andy Halbrook sings with The Krackerjacks. The band played a medley of hits throughout the night. Bottom: Donald Kaczvinsky, dean of Liberal Arts, and his wife Julia peruse the silent auction. Photos submitted by Peter Jones
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8 • The Tech Talk • February 4, 2016
Lady Techsters ready to play hardball
Photo by Darrell James/LA Tech Communications
Photo by Darrell James/LA Tech Communications
Outfielder Katelynn Cook makes a break for third base. Cook hit her first collegiate home run last season.
Outfielders Tori Charters, Janine Godwin and Kassie Harris meet in the outfield during a game last season. Tech finished the season 31-19 and 12-9 in conference play. CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter | csd020@latech.edu
Photo by Darrell James/LA Tech Communications
Pitcher/utility player Pauline Tufi celebrates a home run. Tufi started all 50 of Tech’s games last season.
The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters softball team may be playing on brand new artificial turf this season, but the field is far from the only thing that has improved. Coming off their first season of 30 or more wins since 2009, the Lady Techsters are ranked fifth in the Conference USA preseason poll, a mark that would be the highest the team has reached since entering the conference. Head coach Mark Montgomery said a big strength of this year’s team is its improved talent off the bench. “We’ll be able to incorporate more depth in our strategies with this year’s team,” Montgomery said. “We’ll have 15 to 16 players playing a lot, with several different lineup options depending on the matchup. That level of depth is exciting.” Tech returns eight players who started in 30 or more games last season. In addition, the team has added a crop of four incoming freshmen and a junior college transfer. Montgomery said this season is the culmination of the team’s efforts since
his first year with the program. “I never want to have a team that rides the roller coaster,” he said. “I’d much prefer the merry-go-round. We’ve been in a rebuilding stage over the past few years, but now I think we’re more in a mode of just maintaining a high level of excellence.” One of the many returning Lady Techsters is catcher Krysta Tutsch, a senior sociology major. After hitting nine home runs and a .341 batting average in 2015, Tutsch was named to the 2016 preseason all-conference team. “I loved being selected, but there’s no extra pressure,” Tutsch said. “I just want to come out and work hard in everything I do. It’s my last year; I gotta live it up.” Tutsch said the goals of the team go beyond the outcome on the field. “It’s all about being together as a team, having sisters, building longlasting relationships, and doing something that we all love to do,” she said. Katelynn Cook, a senior clinical kinesiology major, has been with the team since her freshman year. She said she is excited about the benefits the new turf could bring. “It’s different, but I think it’s going
to be an advantage to us,” Cook said. “We’ll catch people sliding past the bag, and we’ll be used to the way the ball bounces.” Home field advantage will be especially important when the Lady Techsters host three teams from the Southeastern Conference in 2016, including in-state powerhouse LSU. Montgomery said he is encouraged to see the team attract SEC attention. “It shows that they see a quality opponent and a quality place to play here,” he said. “That’s something we’re proud of.” Cook said the team is up to the challenge the SEC teams present. “It’s awesome to host the SEC schools, but we’re not intimidated at all,” she said. “It’s not like those teams will crush us. It’s going to be a dogfight.” Cook said Lady Techster fans will experience an exciting brand of softball in 2016. “We’re going to put on a show this year and turn some heads in the conference, she said. “Western Kentucky had a breakout season last year, and I think we have the potential to be that team this year. We’re here to make some noise.”
Diamond ‘Dogs looking to hit the turf running ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu Educator Booker T. Washington once said, “nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.” Head coach Greg Goff and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs baseball team must work hard this upcoming season to improve a subpar 25-27 record last year. Though Tech’s overall record was mediocre yet respectable, their conference record was not, as they only won eight out of 29 conference games. Taylor Love, a senior second-baseman, said Tech is working especially hard to show opposing teams they are not consistently average on the diamond. “This (year’s) team works harder than any I have played for,” Love said. “Guys have been hitting just about every night, putting the extra work in, because they want to get better.” Love is coming off a season where he ranked near the top of the team in nearly every statistical category. Love hit .288 while hitting 32 RBIs and six home runs. Love also had a .429 slugging percentage and got on base .385 percent of the time. Goff said having such an experi-
enced player like Love does wonders for the team as they can look to him to see how to play like a “true Bulldog.” “Taylor has been in the league a number of years and has experienced the good and the bad,” Goff said. “Having a guy like him around who has so much integrity and respect is great. He is a great young man and we feel truly blessed to have him for one more year.” Love said he usually is not one to speak much as he likes to lead by example; however, this season he is willing to venture away from his normal traits in order to lead the team. “I have always been kind of quiet, but this is my time to lead,” Love said. “I have got to get guys in line and show them what to do. I must step out of my comfort zone so I can lead this team.” Goff said Tech is neither a team nor a family, but something further, something more animalistic. “We have a wolf pack mentality,” Goff said. “We are strong and really together. Each guy has a certain role and we try to identify that in our team. We ask our guys to eat lunch with each other throughout the fall and I truly believe we are growing. We just want to invest in each other because
once you do so you care more about them.” Love said the team is like soldiers on the frontline. “We are very close-knit,” Love said. “We are one, everyone knows their role and are fighting for the man next to them. We are going to be successful because of that.” Goff said although Tech has a multitude of new players coming in this season he is extremely optimistic and thinks there are guys ready to step up to replace good players from last year, even an all-time Tech great like Phil Maton. “We have a few hidden gems,” Goff said. “We hit the road on the recruiting trail and brought in 23 new players, 21 of which are junior college transfers. It has been a transitional year but these new guys are hungry and ready to get after it. They are motivated because most of them did not originally get a shot at Division 1 baseball out of high school. They are all from winning junior college programs. I am really excited to build this program one year at a time and really like the direction this program is going.” Tech opens the season at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 against Prairie View A&M in New Orleans.
Photo by Kenny Robertson/LA Tech Communications
Catcher Brent Diaz sides into third base during a game against Marshall last May.